OUTPATIENT MEDICATION USE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR DENTAL CARE: GUIDANCE FOR CONTEMPORARY DENTAL PRACTICE

Adverse effects of medication used in dental care are likely to increase as North Americans live longer, experience more and greater severity of chronic conditions and take more medications. Thus, documentation of medication use and the implications for contemporary dental practice is of increasing importance.

We recorded medication use in patients referred to a large private periodontal practice in Ottawa, Ontario. Patients self-reported medication use and medication allergies in their health history forms on admission.

Of 322 sequential patients enrolled, 164 were female and the overall median age was 52 (range 6-94 years). Participants reported taking 249 unique medications in 28 categories. Two-thirds of patients (63.7%) were taking prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications or both. The average number of medications per patient was 1.9 (range 0-14). The average number of OTC medications per patient was 0.5 for those not taking prescription medications and 0.4 for patients taking prescription medications concurrently. The number of OTC products per patient was 0-7.

Given the prevalence of the use of both prescription and OTC products, accurate recording of the medication profile is necessary in contemporary dental practice. Medication use and medication allergies provide information on patients' medical history and diagnoses that may have implications for their oral condition and delivery of dental care. Additional concerns include potential interactions between frequently used medications reported by patients and medications that are commonly used in dentistry.

The increase in the use of multiple medications and OTC products by the outpatient community has an impact on dental care and prescribed medications in dental care. Thus, it is important to have a complete and accurate medication history to ensure a high standard of care in dental practice.